Ty

 

Two Sides To A Story

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Two sides, two different agendas. Who would've thought Joburg Pride 2012 would have so much drama. Yes there’s the usual separation of the races at the event, the “darkies” outside the boundary and the “whities” inside. But a clash during the March was truly unexpected.



I don’t know the real facts or what really happened on that day but the Activist group called 1 in 9 staged a protest during the March as they proceeded towards them. They lay on the ground with human-size dolls beside them, asking for a moment of silence to commemorate those who lost their lives from hate crimes, murders and rapes. As most of us know, the LGBTI community has been getting a seriously raw deal this past year especially.  So “innocently” 1 in 9 did what they do best, rocked up on the day and asked for 1 minute of silence during the March. According to those there at the time tempers flared, this one hit that one, that one pushed, racist statements were made and the 1 in 9'ners where told to “go back to the township”.   Not a great start to the event.


I read last year online that the 1 in 9 campaign had also staged this kind of protest at Soweto Pride and at the ANC Women’s League march all before the Pride incident and in both cases nothing bad happened, so there was speculation that the clash occurred because of race differences. Personally I understand how people who have never heard of the activists could misunderstand their intent, but the violence is beyond me. How does the lead organiser for Pride not calm the escalating situation, pull the 1 in 9 person aside and have a quick discussion as to why they’re blocking the Pride March and what they need. Then again, the Pride organiser isn't an activist, she’s just a great event organiser and I think that’s what is wrong with Pride.


How do I take up the role of an organiser for an event that I know nothing about? An event that was started as a way to show the world LGBTI people exist, an event meant to expose our struggles and lift our community up and let the world know we are here...how has it been reduced to a Parade and Party? Somehow somewhere something went wrong and we need to come together and fix it. We all had something to say about what could have been done (me included I admit) but now we need to decide what happens from here on.


I remember the first time I attended Joburg Pride. That year, I marched for my rights and next to me there were men in drag, half-naked men, men in underwear... ok ... don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against men. But I figured Pride was meant to be an event where we are taken seriously, where we get educated and educate others about us. The way it currently stands though, no one would give us a second look when we tell them we are marching to fight for our rights or any other cause half-naked. What happened to our Pride? Pride in ourselves? Pride in our causes and struggles? Pride in who we are?


It shocks me that there are people who go to Pride and don’t even know that LGBTI people are being killed for being themselves. People gather at Pride because it’s a big jol and we get to see long lost friends and if you’re lucky, you might even meet the love of your life. But when all that is said and done, when you go back to the township where you aren't accepted, when you go back home to the family that is organising an arranged marriage for you because they insist you are just confused and just need the right opposite sex partner...when reality strikes...what have we achieved by going to Pride? What is the point? I mean we go to parties after Pride anyway; so why is the only event that is meant to represent us in the best light a huge party itself? Others will argue that 1 in 9 should’ve handled this differently... but would it have had the same impact? Besides, why do we need 1 in 9 to tell Pride organisers that the big party we are having has no basis, when so many of us are being killed? Is Pride not meant to conscientise people?


The strangest thing is that the main organiser for Pride hasn’t stepped down or apologised publicly according to what I know. In fact none of the people that swore and said nasty things during the clash have come forward and apologised or shown any remorse. No one is being held accountable for the shameful turn of events on that day. No one is willing to stand up and give a solution on how to go forward. Seems like it might be one of those media stories that come and fizzle out as if nothing ever happened.

Last I heard the 1 in 9 campaign had planned to organise a meeting where all parties and the public come together and discuss a way forward, that hasn’t occurred either. So basically a major event brought certain issues to light, but it doesn’t look like the light will keep shining on them. But then again, it’s a new year, the possibilities are endless, maybe this drama will be brought up again. Maybe even our issues will finally be addressed. But the question is, if they aren’t, what will the next step be? We have all spoken and raised our qualms, we’ve ranted and raved. Looked at both stories and viewed both sides of the coin... now what?


I hope the incident that happened will go down in history as the turning point for Joburg Pride. That this year isn’t another year where we have people sitting on different sides of the fence because our concerns aren’t heard. Pride to me means a safe place where I should be able to bring my family and friends. A place where they see me celebrated, loved and honoured. As it stands, all it is, is a nude party where we see who can dress up the best and it’s time we re-evaluate our priorities and the image we wish to portray.

 

Junie Sihlangu